Systems and methods for generating management agent installations

ABSTRACT

Embodiments relate to systems and methods for installation of management agents on target machines. In embodiments, a central management server can scan a managed network to identify different types and configurations of target machines. Different types of target machines may require different types of management agent software in order to invoke different types of management services, such as configuration management or performance monitoring services. The necessary types of management agent may depend, for instance, on the operating system and/or applications installed on individual targets. In embodiments, different types or classes of management agents can register or communicate with different types of remote management servers. The management agent(s) on individual targets can thereby initiate and manage the installation of agents or other resources that may be needed to register to the remote network services, without a requirement to install or use specific package management tools for specific products.

FIELD

The present teachings relate to systems and methods for generating management agent installations in a managed network, and more particularly to platforms and techniques for initiating an automatic scan of target machines in a network and identifying required or compatible types of software management components for those targets, such as configuration management or performance monitoring agents, and storing the identified types to a database.

BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART

In large, heterogeneous networks, a variety of different types of clients, hosts, and/or other nodes may be present. In terms of performing network management tasks on those diverse machines, each target in a managed network can have a different set of installed resources, including operating systems, and therefore require different types of management agents and installation procedures in order to link to desired network services. Those network services can include, for example, configuration management services, performance monitoring services, security services and others, all of which can typically he hosted and supported in remote management servers.

In conventional networks, an administrator may need to manually inspect or register target machines to assign the machines an appropriate or compatible management software component type, indicating what kind of local management agents are required to connect and register with remove management servers. While it may be possible and relatively convenient to identify the necessary management software component type at the time a target machine receives its original installation, in part because constituent operating system, application, and other details are know, it is difficult at downstream times to configure targets for proper management software component types, since their operating system type or version, as well as other configuration details, may change. It may be desirable to provide methods and systems for registering software management component types in a managed network, in which the types and/or classes of management software components required by or compatible with diverse machines can be automatically scanned, identified and stored to a database.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present teachings and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present teachings. In the figures:

FIG. 1 illustrates an overall network in which systems and methods for generating management agent installations in a managed network can be implemented, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates an overall network in which systems and methods for generating management agent installations in a managed network can implemented, according to various embodiments in further regards;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary hardware configuration of a deployment server and associated resources, according to various embodiments; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of installation processing that can be used in systems and methods for generating management agent installations in a managed network, according to various embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present teachings relate to systems and methods for generating management agent installations in a managed network. More particularly, embodiments related to platforms and techniques for the automatic scanning of target machines and/or other nodes in a managed network, to identify a management software component type to be associated with a given target. For instance, target machines running the Linux™ operating system can require or be compatible with a certain set of management agents to connect to remote management servers and their associated services. For instance, target machines and/or other nodes may desire to register or connect to configuration management services, performance monitoring services, security services, authentication services, and/or other remotely hosted network management services or resources, and each type of service may require a different or distinct type of local management agent or daemon to be installed on the target machine to install or run those desired services. In embodiments in certain regards, a central registration server according to the present teachings can invoke or access a registration tool and/or other logic to probe the manage network to discover the identity of the constituent target machines and/or other nodes, and determine the necessary management software component type required or compatible with each detected machine. The registration tool can also interrogate individual target machines to develop an inventory of resources hosted or present on that machine, such as hardware, software, communications, and/or other resources. The result profile including target identifier, management software component type, inventory of resources, and other data can be stored to a registration store. In embodiments, the registration tool and/or other logic can generate a link, association, channel, or other connection to a stored set of the corresponding management agents, for instance to permit target machines to automatically download those agents, independently of any package management platforms associated with the target, its operating system, and/or other configuration details. Once one or more management agents are installed in a given target, that target can invoke remote management services over the network, and perform updates related to those services as desired.

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present teachings, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Where possible the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates an overall network 100 in which systems and methods for generating management agent installations in a managed network can be implemented, according to various embodiments of the present teachings. In embodiments as shown, a registration server 102 can communicate with a managed network 110 to carry out various installation, provisioning, network management, deployment, or other services. In embodiments, registration server 102 can communicate with managed network 110 via secure or non-secure channels or connections, including, for instance, the Internet or other public or private networks. In embodiments, registration server 102 can host, maintain, or communicate with a set of associated resources including a registration database 104, which can be or include a local or remote database or data store hosting information related to a set of target machines 112 hosted in managed network 110. In embodiments, registration server 102 can comprise, host, or access a registration tool 120 containing applications, logic, and/or other resources to generate, filter, store, route, and manage the deployment of management agents and related network management services executed over or in managed network 110.

Managed network 110 can include or host a set of resources including a set of targets 112, and/or other nodes, machines, or resources. In embodiments, set of targets 112, and/or other nodes or resources of managed network 110 can be or include virtual machines, as well as hardware-based or hardware-implemented machines. In embodiments, set of targets 112 and/or other resources of managed network 110 can be or include resources instantiated from or based on cloud-based networks. Set of targets 112 can be or include, for example, server machines, client machines, portable computing devices, wireless communication devices, and/or other clients, machines, or devices.

More particularly, and as shown in FIG. 1, registration tool 120 hosted in registration server 102 can generate a registration probe 106 to transmit to one, some, or all of the target machines in set of target machines 112 in managed network 110. In aspects, registration probe 106 and/or the targets to which registration probe 106 is transmitted can be automatically generated by registration tool 120, for instance using network pings or “nmap port” scans or commands, as understood by persons skilled in the art. In embodiments, targets or networks can be entered manually by a user of registration tool 120. In aspects, registration probe 106 can initially attempt to identify targets and/or other nodes in managed network 110, for instance to generate a list or map of machines and/or nodes present in managed network 110. In embodiments, the initial detection or scan of targets can determine a management software component type required by or compatible with each target, for instance, based on the operating system installed on each target, if detected.

In aspects, after identification of each target or at other times, registration tool 120 can transmit or update the same or an additional registration probe 106 to gain entry into each target system being registered to registration database 104. In aspects, registration probe 106 can attempt to present security credentials or use security mechanisms to log into or otherwise gain access to one or more targets in set of target machines 112, such as presenting common passwords/credentials for each system, invoking kerberized secure shell (SSH) service, SSH authorized keys, invoking Windows™ trusted domains, or presenting known username/passwords, depending on the type of target or platform.

As shown for instance in FIG. 2, once access is established, registration tool 120 can collect information regarding the inventory of resources installed or present in each subject target in set of target machines 112. In embodiments, registration probe 106 or further or updated interrogation exchanges between a given target in set of targets 112 and registration tool can provide an identification of hardware, software, communications, and/or other resources present in the target. In embodiments, for example, systems such as “/proc” or “HAL” under the Linux™ operating system, or systems or commands such as those used with a “WMI” interface under the Windows™ family of operating systems, can be used to interrogate the subject target or targets regarding installed resources. In embodiments as shown, resource inventory data 118 can be returned to registration server 102 indicating the resources hosted or installed on a subject target. In embodiments as likewise shown, registration tool 120 can receive that information and associate a target identifier, management software component type, resource inventory data 118, and/or other data for storage and registration in a target registration file 108 hosted in registration database. In aspects, the entry for a given target can include an identifier such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address, one or more management software component type, an inventory including installed applications, hardware, communications resources such as ports and service levels, and/or other resources. In embodiments, target registration file 108 can include links, addresses, or other mappings or identifiers to one or more management agent repository 132 that can contain one or more management agent 120 corresponding to one or more management software component type.

In aspects, registration tool 120 and/or other logic can initiate the transmission and/or installation of one or more management agent 120 to a given target in set of target machines 112, based on the requirements of management software component type, any installed applications, and/or other resources. In embodiments, one or more management agent 120 can be pushed to a target at time of registration or at other times, using transmission techniques compatible with the types of agents involved. For instance, for transmission to a Linux™ target, an “scp” command to perform or invoke a Red Hat Package Manager (RPM) or “deb” process can be used, or a tarball can be unzipped, as understood by persons skilled in the art. For instance, for transmission to a target running the Windows™ family of operating systems, an “exe” file can be executed or a Windows Installer (MSI) process can be run, as understood by persons skilled in the art. For instance, for transmission to a target running the Unix™ operating system, a “pkg” command can be run, or a tarball can be unzipped, as understood by persons skilled in the art. A target can thereby receive and install a compatible management agent 120, and invoke, install, and/or update services and/or applications hosted by set of management servers 112, such as configuration management services, performance monitoring services, security services, and/or other network management or configuration services hosted by those servers. It may be noted that the ability to access and/or update those services via management agent 120 registered and generated to a target according to techniques described herein can be independent of the need to invoke any proprietary or associated package management platforms or tools related to targets, agents, or services.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary diagram of hardware and other resources that can be incorporated in a registration server 102 configured to communicate with managed network 10 including set of target machines 116, set of management servers 112, and/or other resources, according to embodiments. In embodiments as shown, the registration server 102 can comprise a processor 124 communicating with memory 126, such as electronic random access memory, operating under control of or in conjunction with operating system 130. Operating system 130 can be, for example, a distribution of the Linux™ operating system, the Unix™ operating system, or other open-source or proprietary operating system or platform. Processor 124 also communicates with a registration store 104, such as a database stored on a local hard drive. Processor 124 further communicates with network interface 128, such as an Ethernet or wireless data connection, which in turn communicates with one or more managed network 110, which can be, include, or be accessed with via private or secure channels, and/or the Internet or other public or private networks. Processor 124 also communicates with registration tool 120 and/or other resources or logic, to execute control, messaging, agent installation, and other management processes described herein. Other configurations of the registration server 102, associated network connections, and other hardware and software resources are possible. While FIG. 3 illustrates registration server 102 as a standalone system comprises a combination of hardware and software, registration server 102 can also be implemented as a software application or program capable of being executed by a conventional computer platform. Likewise, registration server 102 can also be implemented as a software module or program module capable of being incorporated in other software applications and programs. In either case, registration server 102 can be implemented in any type of conventional proprietary or open-source computer language.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of overall processing that can be used in systems and methods for generating management agent installations, according to various embodiments. In 402, processing can begin. In 404, a registration tool 120 can be initiated or invoked via registration server 102, for instance by user selection. In 406, the management software component type for one or more subject target along with any related data can be extracted from registration database 104. In 408, the management agent itself, along with any other software resources corresponding to the management software component type can be identified for each subject target. In 410, the identified one or more management agent 120 and any related software resources can be transmitted to the subject target(s) via managed network 110. In 412, the one or more management agent 120 and/or related software can be installed in the subject target(s) in set of target machines 112. In 414, the installed management agent(s) 120 can be invoked or instantiated in one or more selected target. In 416, any update for the operating system, application(s), and/or other software or services on the subject target(s) can be retrieved via management agent 120, as appropriate. In 418, one or more remote network management services can be accessed or invoked via set of management servers 112. In 420, the inventory of resources for a subject target or other data related to that target can be updated in registration database 104, as appropriate. In 422, processing can repeat, return to a prior processing point, jump to a further processing point, or end.

The foregoing description is illustrative, and variations in configuration and implementation may occur to persons skilled in the art. For example, while embodiments have been described which operate in a network incorporating one registration server 102 communicating with managed network 110, in embodiments, more than registration server 102 or related hosts can be used. Other resources described as singular or integrated can in embodiments be plural or distributed, and resources described as multiple or distributed can in embodiments be combined. The scope of the present teachings is accordingly intended to be limited only by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of installing software to a target machine in a network, comprising: receiving an identifier for the target machine; retrieving at least one of a management software component type or an inventory of resources for the target machine from a management database based on the identifier; and transmitting at least one management agent corresponding to the at least one of the management software component type or inventory of resources to the target machine.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one management agent comprises locally installed software on the target machine configured to communicate with a remote management server.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the remote management server provides at least one of configuration management services, provisioning services, updating services, or monitoring services.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one management agent is communicated to the target machine independently of any package management update tool associated with at least one of the management software component type or inventory of resources.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the retrieving at least a management software component type further comprises retrieving an inventory of resources present in the target machine.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one management agent comprises a plurality of management agents, at least one management agent corresponding to at least one resource in the retrieved inventory of resources.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of management agents is configured to perform a software update process on the target machine.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the software update process comprises a software update process performed without performing an operating system installation process.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the management software component type or inventory of resources comprises a management software component type, and the management software component type is associated with an operating system class.
 10. A network management system, comprising: an interface to a management database storing information related to a set of target machines in a managed network, the information comprising at least an identifier for each target machine and at least one of a management software component type or an inventory of resources for each target machine identifier; and a management server, communicating with the set of target machines via the interface, the management server being configured to— receiving an identifier for at least one target machine in the set of target machines, retrieving at least one of a management software component type or an inventory of resources for the at least one target machine from the management database based on the identifier, and transmitting at least one management agent corresponding to the at least one of the management software component type or inventory of resources to the at least one target machine.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one management agent comprises locally installed software on the target machine configured to communicate with a remote management server.
 12. The method of claim 2, wherein the remote management server provides at least one of configuration management services, provisioning services, updating services, or monitoring services.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one management agent is communicated to the target machine independently of any package management update tool associated with at least one of the management software component type or inventory of resources.
 14. The system of claim 10, wherein the retrieving at least a management software component type further comprises retrieving an inventory of resources present in the target machine.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one management agent comprises a plurality of management agents, at least one management agent corresponding to at least one resource in the retrieved inventory of resources.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein at least one of the plurality of management agents is configured to perform a software update process on the target machine.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the software update process comprises a software update process performed without performing an operating system installation process.
 18. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one of the management software component type or inventory of resources comprises a management software component type, and the management software component type is associated with an operating system class.
 19. A computer readable storage medium, the computer readable storage medium storing computer readable instructions executable to perform a method of installing software to a target machine in a network, the method comprising: receiving an identifier for the target machine; retrieving at least one of a management software component type or an inventory of resources for the target machine from a management database based on the identifier; and transmitting at least one management agent corresponding to the at least one of the management software component type or inventory of resources to the target machine.
 20. The computer readable medium of claim 19, wherein the at least one management agent comprises locally installed software on the target machine configured to communicate with a remote management server. 